Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALWALWHO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALWALWHO’, particularly characterized by light purple, shaded flowers with dark reddish-orange and yellow lips, a concave dorsal sepal shape in cross section, few branches, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALWALWHO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALWALWHO’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new, branched Phalaenopsis plant with attractive, light purple, shaded flowers with dark reddish-orange and yellow lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALWALWHO’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in September 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘8543-01’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘20370-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in September 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Aug. 30, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2066), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALWALWHO’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALWALWHO’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALWALWHO’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Light purple, shaded flowers with dark reddish-orange and         yellow lips;     -   2) Dorsal sepal shape in cross section is concave; and     -   3) Plant has few branches.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in January 2021. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALWALWHO’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALWALWHO’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALWALWHO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALWALWHO’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in January 2021 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALWALWHO’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘8543-01’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘20370-01’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B             and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots             having yellow-green (RHS N144D) with a touch of dark pink             (RHS 182C) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in             vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After             transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished             after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 32.0 cm to 37.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 26.0 cm to 28.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 12.0 cm             to 15.0 cm. Width: 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse, slightly             asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from             the horizontal position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 146A with reddish-brown margin (RHS 200B).             Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness:             2.6 mm to 2.9 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern:             Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A.             Lower surface: RHS 200B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—13 to 16.         -   Length.—32.0 cm to 37.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dark reddish-brown (RHS 200A) with a hint of light             green (RHS 195A).         -   Internode length.—1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 170.0 mm to             200.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 45.0 mm to 50.0 mm. Diameter: 55.0 mm to             60.0 mm. Depth of lip: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 9 to 12 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Flat.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 16.0 mm to             18.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Color: Touch of             yellow-green (RHS N144D) at the base; purplish-red (a color             in between RHS N77B and RHS N79C).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from             base to tip): 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light             purple (RHS 76A). Over color: Purplish-pink shade (RHS N78D)             and stripes (RHS N78C). Lower surface: Basic color: Light             purple (RHS 76A). Over color: Touch of white (RHS NN155C) at             the base toward margins; purplish-pink shade (RHS N78C).             Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface):             Few stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the petals (upper             surface): RHS N78C. Density of netting of the petals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Slightly emarginated             symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 28.0             mm to 30.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Position of the             broadest part of the dorsal sepal: Toward the base. Color             (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light             purple (RHS 76A). Over color: Light reddish-purple shade             (RHS N78D) and stripes (RHS N78C). Lower surface: Basic             color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color: Small white             edge (RHS NN155C) and light reddish-purple region (RHS N78D)             toward the tip. Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): Medium stripes. Color of spots,             dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS             N78C and dots (RHS 70A). Density of netting of the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting: Not             applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 17.0 mm to             19.0 mm. Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light purple (RHS             76A). Over color: Light yellow-green (a color in between RHS             145C and RHS 145D) with dots (RHS 70A) at the base and             stripes (RHS N78D) diluting toward the tips. Lower surface:             Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color: Hint of             light yellow-green (RHS 145D) at the base; reddish-purple             midvein (RHS N78A) toward the tip. Number of spots, dots,             and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Very few             dots and few stripes. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on             the lateral sepals (upper surface): Dots (RHS 70A) and             stripes (RHS N78D). Density of netting of the lateral sepals             (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface):             Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0             mm to 6.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (HRS NN155C).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm.             Width: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Light             yellow (RHS 9C) and striped (RHS 187D) at the base; very             light purple (RHS 76B) and yellow (RHS 14A) on one side             toward the tip. Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C) with a             touch of purplish-red (RHS N77B) at the base; light purple             (RHS 76A) and yellow (RHS 14B) on one side toward the tip.             Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Medium             stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS             187D. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of             the netting: None.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 15.0             mm to 17.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Dark reddish-orange (a color in between RHS 183B             and RHS 178B) at the base; yellow (RHS 13A); white (RHS             NN155C) with a light purple midvein (RHS 76A) toward             whiskers. Lower surface: Red margin (RHS 183B); yellow (RHS             13B) on sides; purplish-pink (RHS N78C) at the middle from             base toward whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the             apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical             lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe:             None. Color of the netting: None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.             Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Yellow (RHS 13A); dotted (RHS 71A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to             5.0 mm. Color: Very light purple (RHS 76B) with light             reddish-purple tip (RHS N78D).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 1.8 mm to 2.0 mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Diameter: 2.1 mm to             2.3 mm. Color: Dark red (RHS 187A) with a touch of green             (RHS 146D) at the base; very light purple (RHS 76B) and             purplish-pink (RHS N78C) toward the flower. Texture: Smooth. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALWALWHO’ differs from the female parent plant ‘8543-01’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALWALWHO’ has obtuse petal apexes and very light purple columns with light reddish-purple tips, whereas ‘8543-01’ has emarginated petal apexes and white columns. Additionally, ‘PHALWALWHO’ has smaller flowers than ‘8543-01’.

The male parent plant of ‘PHALWALWHO’, cultivar ‘20370-01’ (unpatented), is no longer available, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALWALWHO’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALFUSBI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,481) and ‘PHALIJBAK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,935). ‘PHALWALWHO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUSBI’ in that ‘PHALWALWHO’ has white whiskers and slightly emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas ‘PHALFUSBI’ has dark red-orange whiskers and obtuse dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALWALWHO’ has shorter internodes and narrower leaves than ‘PHALFUSBI’.

‘PHALWALWHO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALIJBAK’ in that ‘PHALWALWHO’ has white whiskers, slightly emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, and very light purple columns with light reddish-purple tips, whereas ‘PHALIJBAK’ has purplish-pink whiskers, obtuse dorsal sepal apexes, and white columns with purplish-pink tips. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALWALWHO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 